Blue Water Arts Council

Posted on January 11, 2008

The Community Foundation of St. Clair County (CFSCC) has formed the Blue Water Arts Council (BWAC) as part of their strategic initiative to provide an instrument for focused and increased funding available to support arts and culture related programs, projects and organizations. The Blue Water Arts Council will also serve as a link to encourage collaboration among existing arts and culture related organizations, local businesses and the general public’s appreciation and involvement in the arts. Through support of the Charles and Margaret Anderson Endowment Fund held at the CFSCC, grant monies will be made available in 2008 to support a wide range of arts and culture in the blue water area.

“A vibrant arts and culture community is crucial to our quality of life and that is what businesses and families are looking for when they want to relocate,” said Kathy Duffy, council member. “A community rich in arts and cultural events and programs lead to a growing economy, increased educational opportunities, and cultural tourism. The BWAC will be the catalyst to making the Blue Water Area known for a great quality of life as the arts and culture community develops.”

As of January 10, 2008 the Blue Water Arts Council (BWAC) website is live with grant and membership applications now available at www.bluewaterarts.org. By early February 2008, the website will be fully interactive featuring a region wide calendar of events and links to all BWAC member arts and culture organizations. The website serves as the information center for artists, patrons and tourists. Any organization may post events on the BWAC website calendar of events by sending information to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). To apply for a grant, arts and cultural organizations must be a member of the Blue Water Arts Council. Membership applications are available on www.bluewaterarts.org and membership is only $75.00 for the 2008 year.

Membership benefits include:

Grant Application Processing

Newsletters, Mailings

Your organization listed on website/Link to your website

Free workshops/Networking opportunities

Annual Banquet/Directory

In the year 2001, Michigan was ranked in the top 5 in the nation for funding arts and culture, after severe budget cuts in 2007, Michigan is now ranked among the last of all 50 states. “There is no better time than now to form a regional arts council and to get our local communities, donors, businesses, and arts and culture organizations engaged with one another working together to creatively improve our quality of life in the Blue Water Area,” said Dennis Zembala, Chairman of BWAC.